Current:Home > NewsPaul Simon will be honored with PEN America's Literary Service Award: 'A cultural icon'-LoTradeCoin
Paul Simon will be honored with PEN America's Literary Service Award: 'A cultural icon'
View Date:2024-12-23 19:45:47
NEW YORK — Paul Simon's latest honor places him among public figures well outside the music industry.
He is this year's winner of PEN America's PEN/Audible Literary Service Award, which previously has been given to former President Barack Obama, the late Nobel laureate Toni Morrison and Stephen King, among others.
The 82-year-old Simon is known for such classic songs as "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "The Sound of Silence" and for his globe-spanning musical tastes, from Brazil to South Africa to his native New York City. Later this month, he will be featured in the MGM+ docuseries "In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon."
"Paul Simon has inspired fans worldwide with lyrics and songs that entire generations know by heart and can recognize from the very first notes," PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said in a statement Thursday. "His fascination with different cultures, traditions and rhythms have helped open our ears and minds to essential musical traditions.
"We are elated to pay tribute to this unparalleled creative artist whose music, along with his commitment to humane values and humanitarian causes, has made him a cultural icon."
Simon will receive his award at PEN's annual gala, to be held May 16 at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. Last year, PEN presented the literary prize to a longtime friend of Simon's, "Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels.
On Thursday, PEN also announced it was presenting its Business Visionary award to Almar Latour, CEO of Dow Jones and publisher of The Wall Street Journal. PEN, a prominent advocate for free expression, cited his efforts to bring about the release of Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been held in Russia for nearly a year on allegations of espionage.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- CRYPTIFII Introduce
- Mexico’s president says 10,000 migrants a day head to US border; he blames US sanctions on Cuba
- Four people have died in a plane crash near the Utah desert tourist community of Moab
- Chicago woman, 104, skydives from plane, aiming for record as the world’s oldest skydiver
- Nevada trial set for ‘Dances with Wolves’ actor in newly-revived sex abuse case
- 2023 New York Film Festival opens with Natalie Portman-Julianne Moore spellbinder May December
- Taco Bell worker hospitalized after angry customer opens fire inside Charlotte restaurant
- Wait, what? John Candy's role as Irv in 'Cool Runnings' could have gone to this star
- The Bachelorette's Desiree Hartsock Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Siegfried
- Selena Gomez Makes Surprise Appearance at Coldplay Concert to Perform Alongside H.E.R.
Ranking
- Atlanta man dies in shootout after police chase that also kills police dog
- Sam Asghari Shares Insight Into His Amazing New Chapter
- 5 Papuan independence fighters killed in clash in Indonesia’s restive Papua region
- UK Treasury chief says he’ll hike the minimum wage but rules out tax cuts while inflation stays high
- Groups seek a new hearing on a Mississippi mail-in ballot lawsuit
- A former Family Feud contestant convicted of wife's murder speaks out: I'm innocent. I didn't kill Becky.
- Vuitton transforms Paris with a playful spectacle of color, stars and history
- 'I’m tired of (expletive) losing': Raiders' struggles gnaw at team's biggest stars
Recommendation
-
Mattel says it ‘deeply’ regrets misprint on ‘Wicked’ dolls packaging that links to porn site
-
Mega Millions jackpot reaches $267 million ahead of Sept. 29 drawing. See Friday's winning numbers
-
All Oneboard electric skateboards are under recall after 4 deaths and serious injury reports
-
Why America has grown to love judging the plumpest bears during Fat Bear Week
-
Dwayne Johnson Admits to Peeing in Bottles on Set After Behavior Controversy
-
Newspaper editor Marty Baron: We always have to hold power to account
-
Fires on Indonesia’s Sumatra island cause smoky haze, prompting calls for people to work from home
-
5 conservative cardinals challenge pope to affirm church teaching on gays and women ahead of meeting